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Relationships with coaches were identified as a factor that could impact mood by all of the participants prior to any questioning about this topic from the researcher. As with the sub themes of injury and performance, there were some individual differences identified between the participants in the style of coaching that they preferred. This difference is highlighted in the accounts presented by Andrew and Brian.

“So like, like shouting and bawling at someone for doing something wrong is not gonna like, it dun’t help some people but then again, it helps, it helps other people. Like I think I’d rather be like told off like on top of telling me what to do. But I know that some people don’t react well to like some people telling ‘em what to do. They’re like, ‘Oh just f**k off’” (Andrew)

“…as a young man, not really being accepted by the coaching and they’ve been like pretty, not, kind of a bit ruthless with ya. So it’s been like just saying it like in a bit of an aggressive way and that’s, I think that’s what’s kind of like what’s knocked my

confidence sometimes.” (Brian)

The above accounts highlight that within this study different participants preferred different communication styles. Some participants preferred the coach to be firm whereas others preferred a different approach to coaching. Whilst these individual differences were present, there were a number of consistencies in regard to the ways in which coaching

relationships can impact mood. There was an acknowledgement by all of the participants within the study the importance of being able to trust the coach, the coach being honest and being able to have a personal as well as professional relationship with the coaching team. This was highlighted in the accounts of Andrew, David and Harry.

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“yeah, like with me, I think I’d rather like have a laugh and a joke about with him and all, you know look like he’s . . . he’s like, he actually cares about me as a person as well” (Andrew)

“honesty and integrity; so when a coach says something he does it; like that would be vital . . . so if he says we’re gonna do this, we do it. But if he says I want you, you know if a coach says I want you to play like this and then you do something along those lines and maybe it doesn’t go quite right, you want him to be like, no, that’s what I asked from ya.” (David)

“I think that’s massive…say, like ‘How’s the family?’ Or ‘How’s your weekend been’ jus something away from cricket, I think that’s a massive thing because it gives you another connection rather than just cricket…it’s a more united environment if you do ask stuff like that and- rather than just being all ‘Cricket, cricket, cricket.’” (Harry)

In contrast, the participants within this study indicated that if the coach treated them as a commodity or that they could not trust the coaches intentions then this could impact their mood negatively. This was highlighted in the accounts of Chris, Gerry and Ian.

“…yeah-yeah, cause mate, honestly, some players just like . . . you’re just like a number, ‘There you go. Go and play. You get injured. Yeah, okay it’s just get you out. See you later’ like. It does happen like so…” (Chris)

“sometimes you feel like er, sort of with other people that it, it’s not quite like that. you kinda feel like they sort of listen to sort of every word you say and sort of just to make sure if you say something bad they might hold it against you or things like that…” (Gerry)

“but the coach hasn’t said anything to them before that they’re not going to play…So, it’s like: ‘Well, you haven’t told me so it’s annoying because I’ve been preparing all this time and now I’m going to sit around all day and do nothing.’” (Ian)

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The outlined accounts highlight that the coaches being trustworthy, honest and caring about the individuals on a personal level, as well as professional, were important factors to consider. The participants then discussed that if these were not present, it could make them feel unsure, stressed and potentially impact on confidence and performance as discussed by David, Finlay and Harry.

“If you’re dealing with someone who you think’s unprofessional and also is unpleasant to be around that will just, that will just add that stress to your life.” (David)

“it left you unsure umm, it kind of if you didn’t know you were [working out] or

[exercise] or [exercise] you go to bed that night or the night before and you could feel a bit uneasy umm, you’d think,‘Well actually what shall I eat for, for dinner or what shall I . . . I’ll be a little stressed out tonight” (Finlay)

“I over-think things and technical stuff- would be, say, if they then don’t coach you individually then all of a sudden they’re bringing up something that they think that you should- that you’ve- that you’re working on with other coaches…then you sort of think about that every time you then bowl, because you think: ‘If that’s right then I can then get back in.’ Or if it’s not right then you’re thinking: ‘Oh, well that’s it, my chance has gone.’” (Harry)

In addition to identifying the particular qualities of a coach that the participants valued and the impact that this may have on mood, the participants also discussed the ways in which these coaching qualities may encourage or reduce the likelihood of them seeking help if they were struggling. When speaking about the coach caring about you as a person, Gerry highlights the importance of the coaches being approachable.

“I think you just, you know, you know you’ve got somebody to talk to; like if things aren’t going well, you know that you can go and speak to people…So like if you’re not in a, in a great place then you know that you can go and speak to someone and you’ve got that sort of, you’re not gonna be, sort of be held against ya; and they’re gonna go

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around and say, ‘Oh well, it feels like he’s not playing well so we’re gonna drop him,’ kind of thing.” (Gerry)

In contrast, Ian highlighted the lack of control that athletes often experience in sporting environments and the impact this may have on seeking help if the coaching relationship isn’t positive.

“…the lads refrain from, um, confronting the coach because obviously from like…‘Cos that could obviously make them think badly of you and obviously you don’t want that to happen when they’re controlling the squads and your contracts as well, so you kind of- so you keep them happy.” (Ian)

The above accounts demonstrate the importance of the coaching relationship and how it can be a factor in impacting mood. As with the other factors of injury and performance, the interviews suggest that the athlete’s mood can be negatively impacted if there is increased uncertainty. This is evident with the responses indicating that personal values such as honesty and trust are highly valued within coaches. Gerry highlighted this when discussing that he would prefer to be told bad news rather than kept in the dark.

“…I’d much rather have said, [team] had said to me, ‘Look, we don’t think you’re good enough at the minute. You’re not scoring any runs. We’re dropping ya.’ I’d prefer somebody to say that to me than kind of keep in the dark…” (Gerry)

By a coach providing an environment with honesty and trust, it increases an athlete’s certainty about what they can expect and provides them with the opportunity to take control of aspects that may have an impact on their selection.